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Hello Friends! Happy Pride! Pride Month and Juneteenth sit side by side—reminding us of the beauty, brilliance, and resilience of Black queer and trans people. In this moment, when our bodies and rights are increasingly under attack, we ground ourselves in joy, resistance, and collective liberation. Pride is not just celebration—it’s protest, it’s memory, and it’s vision. As we honor Black Pride and mark Juneteenth as our Freedom Day, The Blackyard Collective recommits to building a world where Black trans lives are protected, loved, and free. We’re excited to welcome our newly elected Advisory Board members to The Blackyard Collective! With this new leadership, we’re more ready than ever to show up for more trans people, reach beyond NYC, and welcome more Afro-Latinos into our community. This moment is about growth—with intention, care, and a clear vision for where we’re headed. We’re especially proud to bring on two new Advisory Board members who hold the title of At-Large General Officer. These roles will be key in helping us grow our presence in Chicago and strengthen our work with Black trans people across the country. It’s a powerful step forward in building a board that reflects the communities we serve—and the future we’re dreaming into. We are also excited to announce the creation of The Blackyard Collective Community Council Executive Team! This new leadership body will expand participation from our members and support the development of emerging leaders within our community. It also allows the Board to focus more intentionally on long-term growth and fundraising. We are proud to name Dameon Dame as the first President of the Council—congratulations, Dameon! He is already working closely with the Board to build an Executive Team that is geographically diverse, reflective of our values, and ready to lead with purpose. We are also deeply grateful to all who submitted nominations and participated in the interview process. Your involvement and support mean the world to us, and we look forward to your continued partnership as we move forward. Here’s to new leadership, bold moves, and collective care. Let’s go. Gratefully,
Michael
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